Silverton

Grant woke up this morning ready to zoom home.  For a few days now he's been keen to draw the big journey to a close, and a night of pesky mosquitoes and children wanting to be taken to the toilet took it's toll.  Joseph sparked up considerably and even helped to pack up the van!  There is still a fair way to go, so we'll see how long we take. 

Penrose Park where we are camped was made a public area in 1937, and picnic trains used to run from Broken Hill, bringing groups of people in open carriages to enjoy a day here.  there are BBQs, goats, birds, peacocks, a pony, and the old train which you can climb all over. 

We used the showers, visited the animals, then went to visit the town of Silverton.

Silverton was the original silver rush town.  Then Silver was found at Broken Hill, and people left Silverton, taking their houses with them!  There are a few brick buildings left, and very ornate street signs, but that's all.

Silverton's claim to fame is that it has been the setting for over a hundred films and commercials.  Mad Max 2, A town like Alice, Priscilla Queen of the Desert are three that come to mind. (I've never actually watched them myself, so no guarantees on content!)

We visited the Hotel and there were signs nailed up under the verandah that have been used in these different productions to rename the pub.  they had the Mad Max cars on display outside, and photos of all different productions over the walls.

there were plenty of funny sayings hanging down from the roof.  some of which I could never explain to Nadine, but some of which were funny.

LOLO, AQIC, I82QB4IP.
There's no point arguing if you're wrong, and no need if you're right.
Sometimes I wake up grumpy, and sometimes I let him sleep in.

In Silverton we visited  The Coin Carvery, where Andy Jenkins used a tiny hacksaw to cut around the kangaroo in a penny and turn it into a piece of art.  Grant found out all about the hacksaw...we have some pennies at home. Andy was a real character and gave us a brochure as a “pattern” to cut out our own.

With the reduction of the mining in Broken Hill, I got the impression that they are trying to create a name for themselves as an artist's haven.  This is where Pro Hart was born and worked as a miner before he went full time into art.  His daughter Julie also has a gallery here.  Everywhere are galleries with work by many different artists.

We drove back into Broken Hill and visited two art galleries, one with a huge canvas acrylic painting of the outback, the largest in the world, apparently.  It was all around the wall of a round room and made it feel like you were outside, looking at mountains and spinifex and lots of red dirt.

We also visited a gallery with some lovely paintings by more traditional artists.  Rupert Bunny was one that I remember.

After that bit of culture, everyone was tired and we went to the Broken Hill Regional Aquatic Centre.  This is newly expanded to include heated pools, children's pools, and a big water slide.  Admittance is the grand sum of $2 each.  We had a lovely hour there before heading out of Broken Hill on our way to Wilcannia.

We are camped at a rest stop 122kms out of Broken Hill, near to the highway, but it has toilets and a playground.  When we saw the playground we couldn't drive past.  Two other couples are pulled in for the night, there is a cool breeze and no mosquitoes.  What more could you want?
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Vicki